Interview With Le’Ridge Stereo from Nepal

Music has been my passion from an early age, sparked by the music collections I received from my maternal uncle and sister. At age 13, I discovered drums and formed a rock band in high school, which competed in music competitions. When I came to the US for college, I continued to play with various groups and started exploring guitar as a means of creating my own music.

In 2020, during the pandemic shutdown, I found myself with more time to reflect and tap into my creativity, and began piecing together fragments of my own tunes. This led to a renewed focus on song-writing, culminating in the release of my first EP in August of 2021.

Youbble Records is a work in progress that I established with the goal of supporting emerging international talent in the United States. While my own experiences in the music industry have inspired me to create this label, my primary aim is to share the knowledge I've gained and help promote the work of other artists who are just starting out.

Since embarking on my musical journey, I have seen significant growth in my guitar playing, song-writing, and ability to create beautiful melodies. I am committed to continuing my learning and development, and I look forward to producing more meaningful and satisfying works through my passion and hard work.

To me, an impressive performance is a perfect union of sound, lighting, and stagecraft, all working together seamlessly to captivate and delight the intended audience.

My creative process doesn't follow a rigid formula, but it's typically driven by a mix of critical elements like mood, exploration, and dedication. For me, it usually starts with playing around with tunes while being mindful of my current emotions. I look for a catchy melody or a hook before I begin writing the lyrics. The topic is then informed by the emotions I'm experiencing, and I let the words flow naturally, matching the tunes to create harmony.

I have played only a few small gigs so far. I am yet to witness the best. However, small intimate gigs have been very insightful and fun to play.

I had a gig where I did not make it on time for sound check. I ended up with a feedback noise in the middle of my performance in front of a crowd that did not really give a shit about music. I stopped and walked away. Lesson learned - Never skip sound check next time.

I believe that I have yet to fully realize my potential and the true significance of my talents. However, I am grateful for the validation that has come from being recognized by credible judges and competitions. It gives me a sense of hope that my song-writing capabilities may hold something truly special. I am thankful for the recognition of my creativity and will continue to strive to reach my full potential.

Being recognized in these competitions has been a great morale boost for me, and has helped to establish me as an emerging artist. However, promotion is still a challenge. I remain hopeful that these awards will eventually lead to new opportunities and help me find a broader audience for my music.

While my music is beginning to gain some attention, the dream of marketing and reaching a wider audience still feels far away. I know that the journey ahead is long, but I remain committed to pursuing my passion for music and sharing my art with the world.

Don't take shortcuts when it comes to passion. The journey towards achieving our goals is often more valuable than the destination itself. Keep pushing yourself to give your best effort and don't give up on your dreams.

Competitions like these provide an opportunity to receive feedback and validation for your craft, and can be a valuable step towards success. With dedication and perseverance, I believe that both you and I can hope to gain popularity and recognition for our art in due time.

For me, it's less about inspiration and more about influence. I have always been surrounded by people and musicians who share a deep love for music. As a Libra, I often turn to music to soothe my soul. Therefore, I want to give a tribute to all my family and friends who have played a significant role in shaping my musical journey and continue to influence me as I grow.

Admiration is indeed subjective, and for me, the first people who come to mind are those who have supported me on this journey. I feel grateful for the different people I have collaborated with or spent time with during the creation of this song, as they have all played a significant role in motivating me to keep going and complete the project.

Bliss N Eso and Logic.

In my experience, combining passion with emotions is a great recipe to follow for creating music. The fragments you create are like pieces of a puzzle that you need to put together. It's important to tap into the right feelings and emotions to create something meaningful.

Once you have even a slight feeling that your creation has potential, don't hesitate to send demos to your friends and apply for competitions. While marketing your music can feel like swimming in an ocean of songs, entering competitions can give you a secondary hope of getting noticed. So keep pushing and good luck!

I am currently working on a Nepali Hip Hop/Rap track aimed at raising awareness about sexual discrimination, physical and mental abuse, and social injustices. This song will complete my EP titled "World We Live In."

Expanding the avenues for new artists to be discovered is crucial in promoting creativity and diversity in the music industry. Traditional methods of discovering new talent, such as talent shows or record label auditions, may not always be accessible or effective for everyone. Therefore, it is essential to have multiple avenues for aspiring musicians to showcase their talents and get discovered.

Furthermore, a robust support system for vetting new artists is equally important. Music industry professionals can play a significant role in guiding and mentoring emerging artists to help them develop their skills and reach their potential. This support can come in the form of workshops, mentorship programs, or even online resources that provide guidance on everything from song-writing to marketing and promotion.

By providing more avenues for discovery and support systems for vetting, we can create a more inclusive and diverse music industry that values creativity and innovation.

Shoutout to my Diwas, Rebecca, Milos for their contribution in breeding this hit, and to all the beautiful people in my life for their support!